Marijuana dispensaries to be handed defeat by high court, contends Paul Chabot, former White House senior advisor

Paul Chabot, founder of Rancho Cucamonga-based Inland Valley Drug Free Community Coalition, said he "strongly" feels the state Supreme Court in San Francisco, who will rule on if California's medical marijuana laws allow cities to ban dispensaries, will rule on the side of the cities' right to ban.

Chabot, a former Navy officer and White House Senior Advisor for law enforcement, justice and drug control, is also the author of "Eternal Battle against Evil" and the president of a national security consulting firm based in Rancho Cucamonga titled Chabot Strategies, LLC.

"The justices say nothing in Proposition 215 or the state legislative action in 2003, neither one of those gave any guidance or mandatory rules that city's must allow for marijuana shops," Chabot said. "We've always felt confident that the courts would rule in our favor. Hearing the justice comments today I think really solidified, not only our position but what we've been saying since day one. That cities have the right to ban these dispensaries, which many cities consider nuisances. Many cities are on the fence and waiting for the ruling before taking additional action. Once it comes down favorable on our side, I see many more cities joining the 200 plus in banning dispensaries. It's the big game changer."

Chabot said his organization has a plan if the court rules that cities can't ban dispensaries that includes lawsuits.

"We would encourage people who are victims of marijuana crimes to come after dispensaries and marijuana doctors. We would equate it with what happened to tobacco in the 1980's (where lawsuits against tobacco companies cost the businesses money and customers). We think the same thing can happen here with the marijuana industry."